Release and migration of cyclic polyester oligomers from bisphenol A non-intent polyester–phenol-coatings into food simulants and infant food – a comprehensive study

ABSTRACT

Coatings for cans or closures are essential to protect the metal from corrosion and the food from migration of hazardous metal ions. Since coatings are no inert materials, they can release substances of potential health concern into food. In the present study, a comprehensive analysis is presented for a complex two-layered polyester–phenol-coating commercially used for metal closures of complementary infant food in sterilised glass jars. Focussed on the identity and migration of cyclic polyester oligomers as a kind of predictable non-intentionally added substances, polyester resin raw materials (n = 3) as well as individual coating layers (n = 3) were characterised by several analytical strategies (size exclusion chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, diode array detection, charged aerosol detection, monomer determination after alkaline hydrolysis, overall migrate). The main polyester monomers were terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, trimellitic acid, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, neopentylglycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol and tricyclodecanedimethanol. The coatings were extracted with solvents acetonitrile and ethanol (24 h, 60°C), food simulants 50% ethanol, 20% ethanol and water (1 h, 121°C) as well as homemade and commercial baby food (1 h, 121°C). The released total polyester content determined by alkaline hydrolysis ranged from 288 µg/dm² (water, 1 h, 121°C) to 6154 µg/dm² (acetonitrile, 24 h, 60°C). However, individual cyclic oligomers, mainly dimers, were released from the coating to up to about 140 µg/dm². Migration into infant food was best represented by the food simulants water (up to 1% fat) and 20% ethanol (up to 5% fat). Cyclic polyester oligomers are classified as Cramer III substances by the threshold of toxicological concern concept associated to an exposure threshold of 1.5 µg/kg body weight per day. Exposure to cyclic polyester oligomers might be a potential concern for highly exposed infants.

Graphical Abstract

KEYWORDS:

• Polyester coating
• oligomers
• NIAS assessment
• TTC concept
• bisphenol A
• food contact materials

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank the industrial partners for providing the sample materials. For support in HPLC–MS measurements thank goes to Prof. Thomas Henle and Stephanie Treibmann.